Anasser Almontaser Killed in Southampton Wrong-Way Accident
Five-vehicle collision involved commercial van, tow truck, and pickups
Anasser Almontaser, 33, of Staten Island, died in a five-vehicle wrong-way crash on County Road 39 in Southampton, Suffolk County, New York, on Wednesday, March 4, according to Southampton Town Police.
Almontaser, driving a 2014 GMC van eastbound, crossed into the westbound lanes. He first sideswiped a 2019 Volkswagen SUV, then struck a 2017 Toyota pickup. Afterward, he sideswiped a 2018 International tow truck before colliding head-on with a 2022 Dodge Ram pickup.
Almontaser was pronounced dead at the scene. Three other individuals involved in the collision suffered non-life-threatening injuries and received treatment at local hospitals. Their identities were not publicly released.
Police responded to the crash around 3:15 p.m. Wednesday. The wreck left four vehicles totaled and a debris field of 600 feet occurred along the street. The 2017 Toyota pickup carried construction materials that scattered across the road.
County Road 39 was closed for four hours while emergency crews cleared the scene. The crash remains under investigation. Authorities have not yet released the cause of why Almontaser crossed into oncoming traffic.
The multi-vehicle collision involving a commercial van, tow truck, and two pickup trucks remains under investigation by the Southampton Town Police. Authorities have not yet released details regarding the cause of the incident or why Anasser Almontaser's vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic. Investigators will examine all contributing factors, including vehicle mechanics, road conditions, and driver behavior.
National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, noted that "What scares me about large commercial rigs is how one small mistake can lead to a massive loss of life. If cargo isn't secured right, a waterfall event happens where the shifting weight flips the entire trailer over."
New York wrongful death statute
Under N.Y. EPTL § 5-4.1, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. New York applies pure comparative fault. The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of parental guidance, funeral expenses, and the decedent's conscious pain and suffering.